Method of using a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and sex steroids as a combination therapy for the treatment and prevention of dismenorrhea

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for the treatment and prevention of dysmenorrhea in a woman using a combination of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and sex steroids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods for the treatment and prevention of dysmenorrhea in a woman using a combination of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and sex steroids.

2. Description of the Related Art

In women, the menstrual cycle involves a complex series of hormonal changes. A consequence of these hormonal changes is the growth of the uterine lining (referred to as the endometrium). In the absence of pregnancy, the endometrium is shed in a process called menstruation. This process involves the release of prostaglandins, which cause contractions of the smooth muscle in the uterus. In some women, these contractions cause substantial pain, dysmenorrhea, which interferes with their daily activities.

The time at which menstruation occurs varies in that it can not be predicted with certainty in any one woman. The variability in the onset of menstrual cycles is dependent upon many variables including the individual woman, her age and underlying medical and psychosocial conditions. This makes it difficult to predict the onset of menses. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis are effective in reducing dysmenorrhea (Lundstrom, V., et al. Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. Suppl., 113, 83-85 (1983)). They are most effective when administered prior to the onset of menstrual pain by 24-48 hours. Since predicting the precise timing of menstruation is difficult, attempts to maximize efficacy by initiating treatment prior to menses may result in several days of unnecessary medication.

The use of orally active contraceptives, composed of estrogen and progestin components, has been reported to reduce the intensity of the pain of dysmenorrhea (Nabrink, M. et al. Contraception, 42, 275-283 (1990)).

The vast majority of oral contraceptives consist of a combination of a progestin sex steroid and an estrogen sex steroid. These sex steroids are administered concurrently for 21 days followed by either a 7 day pill free interval or by the administration of a placebo for 7 days in each 28 day cycle. Numerous regimens have been developed in which the progestin/estrogen combination is administered either as a fixed dosage combination (monophasic) or as a biphasic or a triphasic regimen in which the dosage of the combination is varied either once or twice throughout the menstrual cycle. Kuhl has reviewed the current state of hormonal contraception (Handb. Exp. Pharmacol., 135/II, 363-407 (1999)). Various oral contraceptive combinations are listed in WO 98/04265. Most current oral contraceptives give good menstrual cycle control (Thorneycroft, I. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 180 (2, Pt. 2), S280-S287 (1999)).

When good relief of dysmenorrhea is not obtained through the use of oral contraceptives, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug can be added as treatment (Deligeoroglou, E. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 900, 237-244 (2000)).

Prostaglandins play a major role in the inflammation process and the inhibition of prostaglandin production, especially production of PGG2, PGH2 and PGE2, has been a common target of anti-inflammatory drug discovery. However, common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are active in reducing the prostaglandin-induced pain and swelling associated with the inflammation process are also active in affecting other prostaglandin-regulated processes not associated with the inflammation process. Thus, use of high doses of most common NSAIDs can produce severe side effects, including life-threatening ulcers, which limit their therapeutic potential. An alternative to NSAIDs is the use of corticosteroids, which have even more drastic side effects, especially when long-term therapy is involved.

Previous NSAIDs have been found to prevent the production of prostaglandins by inhibiting enzymes in the human arachidonic acid/prostaglandin pathway, including the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). The recent discovery of an inducible enzyme associated with inflammation (named “cyclooxygenase II (COX II)” or “prostaglandin G/H synthase II”) provides a viable target of inhibition that more effectively reduces inflammation and produces fewer and less drastic side effects.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,823 discloses pyrazolyl cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors useful in treating inflammation and inflammation-related disorders, including menstrual cramps.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,598 discloses prodrugs of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors useful in treating inflammation and inflammation-related disorders, including menstrual cramps.

Morrison et al. describe a study where the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, is used to treat primary dysmenorrhea (Obstet. Gynecol., 94(4), 504-508 (1999)).

Compounds that selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 and are useful in treating menstrual cramps have also been described in the following individual publications.

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,207.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,272.

The various classes of compounds that are selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 have been reviewed by J. Talley in Prog. Med. Chem., 36, 201-234 (1999). Compounds that selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 have also been described in the following individual publications.

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,738.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,991.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,790.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,178.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,995.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,368.     -   WO 96/06840.     -   WO 96/03388.     -   WO 96/03387.     -   WO 96/19469.     -   WO 96/25405.     -   WO 95/15316.     -   WO 94/15932.     -   WO 94/27980.     -   WO 95/00501.     -   WO 94/13635.     -   WO 94/20480.     -   WO 94/26731.

The combination of NSAIDs and oral contraceptives has been used in cases where neither treatment alone was effective in treating primary dysmenorrhea (Coco, A., American Family Physician, 60(2), 489-496 (1999)).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,416 discloses the combination of an endothelin antagonist and/or an endothelin synthase inhibitor with at least one of a progestin, an estrogen, a combination of a progestin and estrogen, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a nitric oxide donor or a nitric oxide substrate for the treatment of menstrual disorders including dysmenorrhea.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,006 discloses the combination of an omega fatty acid and a cyclooxygenase inhibitor for the reduction or alleviation of uterine or vaginal pain associated with the onset of menstruation.

However, a combination therapy method for the treatment and prevention of dysmenorrhea comprising a COX-2 inhibitor and sex steroids has not been previously described.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the continuing need to find safe and effective agents for the prophylaxis and treatment of dysmenorrhea, combination therapies of therapeutic agents are now reported.

Among its several embodiments, the present invention provides a therapeutic combination of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound source and an amount of sex steroid compounds, wherein the compounds together comprise a dysmenorrhea-effective amount of the compounds.

In another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound source is a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a combination therapy method for the treatment or prophylaxis of dysmenorrhea in a patient in need thereof comprising the use of an amount of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound and an amount of a sex steroid, wherein the amounts of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound and the sex steroid compound together comprise a dysmenorrhea-effective amount of the compounds.

The invention involves the preventive management of painful uterine cramps, dysmenorrhea, in women. A key improvement over existing technologies is that moderate to severe pain is not experienced prior to initiating treatment, but that it can be preempted, providing a much more satisfactory outcome. Another advantage is that by employing this regimen, lower doses of analgesic medication may be required. There should also be an advantage of a reduced blood loss compared with existing treatments.

Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. However, it should be understood that the following detailed description and examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing the present invention. Even so, this detailed description should not be construed to unduly limit the present invention as modifications and variations in the embodiments discussed herein can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventive discovery.

The contents of each of the references cited herein, including the contents of the references cited within these primary references, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Definitions

The following definitions are provided in order to aid the reader in understanding the detailed description of the present invention.

The phrase “cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor” or “COX-2 inhibitor” or “cyclooxygenase-II inhibitor” includes agents that specifically inhibit a class of enzymes, cyclooxygenase-2, with less significant inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1.

Preferably, it includes compounds that have a cyclooxygenase-2 IC₅₀ of less than about 0.2 μM, and also have a selectivity ratio of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition over cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition of at least 50, and more preferably of at least 100. Even more preferably, the compounds have a cyclooxygenase-1 IC₅₀ of greater than about 1 μM, and more preferably of greater than 10 μM.

The phrase “sex steroids” includes both estrogen and progestin steroid compounds.

The phrase “combination therapy” (or “co-therapy”) embraces the administration of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and a sex steroid as part of a specific treatment regimen intended to provide a beneficial effect from the co-action of these therapeutic agents. The beneficial effect of the combination includes, but is not limited to, pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic co-action resulting from the combination of therapeutic agents. Administration of these therapeutic agents in combination typically is carried out over a defined time period (usually minutes, hours, days or weeks depending upon the combination selected). “Combination therapy” generally is not intended to encompass the administration of two or more of these therapeutic agents as part of separate monotherapy regimens that incidentally and arbitrarily result in the combinations of the present invention. “Combination therapy” is intended to embrace administration of these therapeutic agents in a sequential manner, that is, wherein each therapeutic agent is administered at a different time, as well as administration of these therapeutic agents, or at least two of the therapeutic agents, in a substantially simultaneous manner. Substantially simultaneous administration can be accomplished, for example, by administering to the subject a single capsule having a fixed ratio of each therapeutic agent or in multiple, single capsules for each of the therapeutic agents. Sequential or substantially simultaneous administration of each therapeutic agent can be effected by any appropriate route including, but not limited to, oral routes, intravenous routes, intramuscular routes, and direct absorption through mucous membrane tissues. The therapeutic agents can be administered by the same route or by different routes. For example, a first therapeutic agent of the combination selected may be administered by intravenous injection while the other therapeutic agents of the combination may be administered orally. Alternatively, for example, all therapeutic agents may be administered orally or all therapeutic agents may be administered by intravenous injection. The sequence in which the therapeutic agents are administered is not narrowly critical. “Combination therapy” also can embrace the administration of the therapeutic agents as described above in further combination with other biologically active ingredients and non-drug therapies.

The phrase “therapeutically effective” is intended to qualify the combined amount of inhibitors in the combination therapy. This combined amount will achieve the goal of reducing or eliminating dysmenorrhea.

“Therapeutic compound” means a compound useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of dysmenorrhea.

The term “comprising” means “including the following elements but not excluding others.”

The term “hydrido” denotes a single hydrogen atom (H). This hydrido radical may be attached, for example, to an oxygen atom to form a hydroxyl radical or two hydrido radicals may be attached to a carbon atom to form a methylene (—CH₂—) radical. Where used, either alone or within other terms such as “haloalkyl”, “alkylsulfonyl”, “alkoxyalkyl” and “hydroxyalkyl”, the term “alkyl” embraces linear or branched radicals having one to about twenty carbon atoms or, preferably, one to about twelve carbon atoms. More preferred alkyl radicals are “lower alkyl” radicals having one to about ten carbon atoms. Most preferred are lower alkyl radicals having one to about six carbon atoms.

Examples of such radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl and the like.

The term “alkenyl” embraces linear or branched radicals having at least one carbon-carbon double bond of two to about twenty carbon atoms or, preferably, two to about twelve carbon atoms. More preferred alkenyl radicals are “lower alkenyl” radicals having two to about six carbon atoms. Examples of alkenyl radicals include ethenyl, propenyl, allyl, propenyl, butenyl and 4-methylbutenyl.

The term “alkynyl” denotes linear or branched radicals having two to about twenty carbon atoms or, preferably, two to about twelve carbon atoms. More preferred alkynyl radicals are “lower alkynyl” radicals having two to about ten carbon atoms. Most preferred are lower alkynyl radicals having two to about six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include propargyl, butynyl, and the like.

The terms “alkenyl”, “lower alkenyl”, embrace radicals having “cis” and “trans” orientations, or alternatively, “E” and “Z” orientations.

The term “cycloalkyl” embraces saturated carbocyclic radicals having three to twelve carbon atoms. More preferred cycloalkyl radicals are “lower cycloalkyl” radicals having three to about eight carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The term “cycloalkenyl” embraces partially unsaturated carbocyclic radicals having three to twelve carbon atoms. More preferred cycloalkenyl radicals are “lower cycloalkenyl” radicals having four to about eight carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl and cyclohexenyl.

The term “halo” means halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. The term “haloalkyl” embraces radicals wherein any one or more of the alkyl carbon atoms is substituted with halo as defined above. Specifically embraced are monohaloalkyl, dihaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl radicals. A monohaloalkyl radical, for one example, may have either an iodo, bromo, chloro or fluoro atom within the radical. Dihalo and polyhaloalkyl radicals may have two or more of the same halo atoms or a combination of different halo radicals. “Lower haloalkyl” embraces radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of haloalkyl radicals include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl and dichloropropyl.

The term “hydroxyalkyl” embraces linear or branched alkyl radicals having one to about ten carbon atoms any one of which may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl radicals. More preferred hydroxyalkyl radicals are “lower hydroxyalkyl” radicals having one to six carbon atoms and one or more hydroxyl radicals. Examples of such radicals include hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl and hydroxyhexyl.

The terms “alkoxy” and “alkyloxy” embrace linear or branched oxy-containing radicals each having alkyl portions of one to about ten carbon atoms. More preferred alkoxy radicals are “lower alkoxy” radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy and tert-butoxy. The term “alkoxyalkyl” embraces alkyl radicals having one or more alkoxy radicals attached to the alkyl radical, that is, to form monoalkoxyalkyl and dialkoxyalkyl radicals. The “alkoxy” radicals may be further substituted with one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide haloalkoxy radicals. More preferred haloalkoxy radicals are “lower haloalkoxy” radicals having one to six carbon atoms and one or more halo radicals. Examples of such radicals include fluoromethoxy, chloromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, fluoroethoxy and fluoropropoxy.

The term “aryl”, alone or in combination, means a carbocyclic aromatic system containing one, two or three rings wherein such rings may be attached together in a pendent manner or may be fused. The term “aryl” embraces aromatic radicals such as phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indane and biphenyl. Aryl moieties may also be substituted at a substitutable position with one or more substituents selected independently from alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, alkoxy, aralkoxy, hydroxyl, amino, halo, nitro, alkylamino, acyl, cyano, carboxy, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl and aralkoxycarbonyl.

The term “heterocyclo” embraces saturated, partially unsaturated and unsaturated heteroatom-containing ring-shaped radicals, where the heteroatoms may be selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Examples of saturated heterocyclo radicals include saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms (e.g. pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidino, piperazinyl, etc.); saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g. morpholinyl, etc.); saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g., thiazolidinyl, etc.). Examples of partially unsaturated heterocyclo radicals include dihydrothiophene, dihydropyran, dihydrofuran and dihydrothiazole.

The term “heteroaryl” embraces unsaturated heterocyclo radicals. Examples of unsaturated heterocyclo radicals, also termed “heteroaryl” radicals include unsaturated 3 to 6 membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms, for example, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazolyl (e.g., 4H-1,2,4-triazolyl, 1H-1,2,3-triazolyl, 2H-1,2,3-triazolyl, etc.) tetrazolyl (e.g. 1H-tetrazolyl, 2H-tetrazolyl, etc.), etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclo group containing 1 to 5 nitrogen atoms, for example, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, indazolyl, benzotriazolyl, tetrazolopyridazinyl (e.g., tetrazolo[1,5-b]pyridazinyl, etc.), etc.; unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing an oxygen atom, for example, pyranyl, furyl, etc.; unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing a sulfur atom, for example, thienyl, etc.; unsaturated 3- to 6 membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, for example, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl (e.g., 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, etc.) etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclo group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g. benzoxazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, etc.); unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic: group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, for example, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl (e.g., 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, etc.) etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclo group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g., benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, etc.) and the like. The term also embraces radicals where heterocyclo radicals are fused with aryl radicals. Examples of such fused bicyclic radicals include benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzopyran, and the like. The terms benzopyran and chromene are interchangeable. Said “heterocyclo group” may have 1 to 3 substituents such as alkyl, hydroxyl, halo, alkoxy, oxo, amino and alkylamino.

The term “alkylthio” embraces radicals containing a linear or branched alkyl radical, of one to about ten carbon atoms attached to a divalent sulfur atom. More preferred alkylthio radicals are “lower alkylthio” radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylthio radicals are methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio and hexylthio. The term “alkylthioalkyl” embraces radicals containing an alkylthio radical attached through the divalent sulfur atom to an alkyl radical of one to about ten carbon atoms. More preferred alkylthioalkyl radicals are “lower alkylthioalkyl” radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylthioalkyl radicals include methylthiomethyl.

The term “alkylsulfinyl” embraces radicals containing a linear or branched alkyl radical, of one to ten carbon atoms, attached to a divalent —S(═O)-radical. More preferred alkylsulfinyl radicals are “lower alkylsulfinyl” radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylsulfinyl radicals include methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, butylsulfinyl and hexylsulfinyl.

The term “sulfonyl”, whether used alone or linked to other terms such as alkylsulfonyl, denotes respectively divalent radicals —SO₂—. “Alkylsulfonyl” embraces alkyl radicals attached to a sulfonyl radical, where alkyl is defined as above. More preferred alkylsulfonyl radicals are “lower alkylsulfonyl” radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylsulfonyl radicals include methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl and propylsulfonyl. The “alkylsulfonyl” radicals may be further substituted with one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide haloalkylsulfonyl radicals.

The terms “sulfamyl”, “aminosulfonyl” and “sulfonamidyl” denote NH₂O₂S—.

The term “acyl” denotes a radical provided by the residue after removal of hydroxyl from an organic acid. Examples of such acyl radicals include alkanoyl and aroyl radicals. Examples of such lower alkanoyl radicals include formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, valeryl, isovaleryl, pivaloyl, hexanoyl, trifluoroacetyl.

The term “carbonyl”, whether used alone or with other terms, such as “alkoxycarbonyl”, denotes —(C═O)—. The term “aroyl” embraces aryl radicals with a carbonyl radical as defined above. Examples of aroyl include benzoyl, naphthoyl, and the like and the aryl in said aroyl may be additionally substituted.

The terms “carboxy” or “carboxyl”, whether used alone or with other terms, such as “carboxyalkyl”, denotes —CO₂H. The term “carboxyalkyl” embraces alkyl radicals substituted with a carboxy radical. More preferred are “lower carboxyalkyl” which embrace lower alkyl radicals as defined above, and may be additionally substituted on the alkyl radical with halo. Examples of such lower carboxyalkyl radicals include carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl and carboxypropyl. The term “alkoxycarbonyl” means a radical containing an alkoxy radical, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to a carbonyl radical. More preferred are “lower alkoxycarbonyl” radicals with alkyl portions having 1 to 6 carbons. Examples of such lower alkoxycarbonyl (ester) radicals include substituted or unsubstituted methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl and hexyloxycarbonyl.

The terms “alkylcarbonyl”, “arylcarbonyl” and “aralkylcarbonyl” include radicals having alkyl, aryl and aralkyl radicals, as defined above, attached to a carbonyl radical. Examples of such radicals include substituted or unsubstituted methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl and benzylcarbonyl.

The term “aralkyl” embraces aryl-substituted alkyl radicals such as benzyl, diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl, phenylethyl, and diphenylethyl. The aryl in said aralkyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl and haloalkoxy.

The terms benzyl and phenylmethyl are interchangeable.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” embraces saturated and partially unsaturated heterocyclo-substituted alkyl radicals, such as pyrrolidinylmethyl, and heteroarylsubstituted alkyl radicals, such as pyridylmethyl, quinolylmethyl, thienylmethyl, furylethyl, and quinolylethyl. The heteroaryl in said heteroaralkyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, halkoalkyl and haloalkoxy.

The term “aralkoxy” embraces aralkyl radicals attached through an oxygen atom to other radicals. The term “aralkoxyalkyl” embraces aralkoxy radicals attached through an oxygen atom to an alkyl radical. The term “aralkylthio” embraces aralkyl radicals attached to a sulfur atom. The term “aralkylthioalkyl” embraces aralkylthio radicals attached through a sulfur atom to an alkyl radical.

The term “aminoalkyl” embraces alkyl radicals substituted with one or more amino radicals. More preferred are “lower aminoalkyl” radicals. Examples of such radicals include aminomethyl, aminoethyl, and the like. The term “alkylamino” denotes amino groups that have been substituted with one or two alkyl radicals. Preferred are “lower N-alkylamino” radicals having alkyl portions having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Suitable lower alkylamino may be mono or dialkylamino such as N-methylamino, N-ethylamino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-diethylamino or the like. The term “arylamino” denotes amino groups that have been substituted with one or two aryl radicals, such as N-phenylamino. The “arylamino” radicals may be further substituted on the aryl ring portion of the radical. The term “aralkylamino” embraces aralkyl radicals attached through an amino nitrogen atom to other radicals. The terms “N-arylaminoalkyl” and “N-aryl-N-alkylaminoalkyl” denote amino groups which have been substituted with one aryl radical or one aryl and one alkyl radical, respectively, and having the amino group attached to an alkyl radical. Examples of such radicals include N-phenylaminomethyl and N-phenyl-N-methylaminomethyl.

The term “aminocarbonyl” denotes an amide group of the formula —C(═O)NH₂. The term “alkylaminocarbonyl” denotes an aminocarbonyl group that has been substituted with one or two alkyl radicals on the amino nitrogen atom. Preferred are “N-alkylaminocarbonyl” and “N,N-dialkylaminocarbonyl” radicals. More preferred are “lower N-alkylaminocarbonyl” and “lower N,N-dialkylaminocarbonyl” radicals with lower alkyl portions as defined above. The term “aminocarbonylalkyl” denotes a carbonylalkyl group that has been substituted with an amino radical on the carbonyl carbon atom.

The term “alkylaminoalkyl” embraces radicals having one or more alkyl radicals attached to an aminoalkyl radical. The term “aryloxyalkyl” embraces radicals having an aryl radical attached to an alkyl radical through a divalent oxygen atom. The term “arylthioalkyl” embraces radicals having an aryl radical attached to an alkyl radical through a divalent sulfur atom.

Combinations

The methods and combinations of the present invention provide one or more benefits. Combinations of COX-2 inhibitors with the compounds, compositions, agents and therapies of the present invention are useful in treating and preventing dysmenorrhea. Preferably, the COX-2 inhibitors and the compounds, compositions, agents and therapies of the present invention are administered in combination at a low dose, that is, at a dose lower than has been conventionally used in clinical situations.

The combinations of the present invention will have a number of uses. For example, through dosage adjustment and medical monitoring, the individual dosages of the therapeutic compounds used in the combinations of the present invention will be lower than are typical for dosages of the therapeutic compounds when used in monotherapy. The dosage lowering will provide advantages including reduction of side effects of the individual therapeutic compounds when compared to the monotherapy. In addition, fewer side effects of the combination therapy compared with the monotherapies will lead to greater patient compliance with therapy regimens.

Alternatively, the methods and combination of the present invention can also maximize the therapeutic effect at higher doses.

When administered as a combination, the therapeutic agents can be formulated as separate compositions that are given at the same time or different times, or the therapeutic agents can be given as a single composition.

This new method of treatment for moderate to severe dysmenorrhea is superior to existing therapies, by reason of having the following characteristics. It inhibits the increased prostaglandin production induced by the complex series of hormonal changes characteristic of the menstrual cycle. The inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis occurs reproducibly 24-48 hours prior to initiation of menstruation. For safety reasons, it targets only the increased prostaglandin synthesis, which occurs immediately prior to menses, and not constitutive prostaglandin synthesis that may negatively impact other processes such as renal function.

The COX-2 enzyme, which is responsible for prostaglandin synthesis, has been demonstrated in the endometrium and myometrium of the uterus in women. The tissue distribution of COX-2 is significantly different from COX-1 in the endometrium. Therefore one would expect differences in the effects of COX-2 inhibitors compared to COX-1 inhibitors.

Among its several embodiments, the present invention provides a therapeutic combination of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound source and a sex steroid compound, wherein the compounds together comprise a dysmenorrhea-effective amount of the compounds.

In another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound source is a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound.

In yet another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound source is a prodrug of a COX-2 inhibitor. Nonlimiting examples of COX-2 inhibitors that may be used in the present invention are identified in Table 1 below. TABLE NO. 1 Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors Trade/ Research Compound Name Reference Dosage 1,5-Diphenyl-3-substituted WO pyrazoles 97/13755 radicicol WO 96/25928. Kwon et al (Cancer Res (1992) 52 6296) GB- 02283745 TP-72 Cancer Res 1998 58 4 717-723 1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-3-[4-(4- A-183827.0 fluoro-phenyl)thiazol-2- ylMethyl]-5-methoxy-2- methylindole GR-253035 4-(4-cyclohexyl-2- JTE-522 JP 9052882 methyloxazol-5-yl)-2- fluorobenzenesulfonamide 5-chloro-3-(4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2- (methyl-5-pyridinyl)-pyridine 2-(3,5-difluoro-phenyl)-3-4- (methylsulfonyl)-phenyl)-2- cyclopenten-1-one L-768277 L-783003 MK-966; U.S. Pat. No. 12.5-100  VIOXX ® 5968974 mg po indomethacin-derived WO 200 indolalkanoic acid 96/374679 mg/kg/day 1-Methylsulfonyl-4-[1,1- WO dimethyl-4-(4- 95/30656. fluorophenyl)cyclopenta-2,4- WO dien-3-yl]benzene 95/30652. WO 96/38418. WO 96/38442. 4,4-dimethyl-2-phenyl-3-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]cyclo- butenone 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4- EP 799823 methyl-1-(4- sulfamoylphenyl)-pyrrole N-[5-(4- RWJ-63556 fluoro)phenoxy]thiophene-2- methanesulfon-amide 5(E)-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- S-2474 EP 595546 hydroxy)benzylidene-2-ethyl- 1,2-isothiazolidine-1,1- dioxide 3-formylamino-7- T-614 DE methylsulfonylamino-6- 38/34204 phenoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4- one Benzenesulfonamide, 4-(5-(4- celecoxib U.S. Pat. No. methylphenyl)-3- 5466823 (trifluoromethyl)-1H- pyrazol-1-yl)- CS 502 (Sankyo) MK 633 (Merck) meloxicam U.S. Pat. No. 15-30 4233299 mg/day nimesulide U.S. Pat. No. 3840597

The following references listed in Table No. 2 below, hereby individually incorporated by reference, describe various COX-2 inhibitors suitable for use in the present invention described herein, and processes for their manufacture. TABLE NO. 2 COX-2 Inhibitor References WO 99/30721 WO 99/30729 U.S. Pat. No. WO 98/15528 5760068 WO 99/25695 WO 99/24404 WO 99/23087 FR 27/71005 EP 921119 FR 27/70131 WO 99/18960 WO 99/15505 WO 99/15503 WO 99/14205 WO 99/14195 WO 99/14194 WO 99/13799 GB 23/30833 U.S. Pat. No. WO 99/12930 5859036 WO 99/11605 WO 99/10332 WO 99/10331 WO 99/09988 U.S. Pat. No. WO 99/05104 U.S. Pat. No. WO 98/47890 5869524 5859257 WO 98/47871 U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. WO 98/45294 5830911 5824699 WO 98/43966 WO 98/41511 WO 98/41864 WO 98/41516 WO 98/37235 EP 86/3134 JP 10/175861 U.S. Pat. No. 5776967 WO 98/29382 WO 98/25896 ZA 97/04806 EP 84/6,689 WO 98/21195 GB 23/19772 WO 98/11080 WO 98/06715 WO 98/06708 WO 98/07425 WO 98/04527 WO 98/03484 FR 27/51966 WO 97/38986 WO 97/46524 WO 97/44027 WO 97/34882 U.S. Pat. No. WO 97/37984 U.S. Pat. No. 5681842 5686460 WO 97/36863 WO 97/40012 WO 97/36497 WO 97/29776 WO 97/29775 WO 97/29774 WO 97/28121 WO 97/28120 WO 97/27181 WO 95/11883 WO 97/14691 WO 97/13755 WO 97/13755 CA 21/80624 WO 97/11701 WO 96/41645 WO 96/41626 WO 96/41625 WO 96/38418 WO 96/37467 WO 96/37469 WO 96/36623 WO 96/36617 WO 96/31509 WO 96/25405 WO 96/24584 WO 96/23786 WO 96/19469 WO 96/16934 WO 96/13483 WO 96/03385 U.S. Pat. No. 5510368 WO 96/09304 WO 96/06840 WO 96/06840 WO 96/03387 WO 95/21817 GB 22/83745 WO 94/27980 WO 94/26731 WO 94/20480 WO 94/13635 FR 27/70,131 U.S. Pat. No. 5859036 WO 99/01131 WO 99/01455 WO 99/01452 WO 99/01130 WO 98/57966 WO 98/53814 WO 98/53818 WO 98/53817 WO 98/47890 U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. WO 98/22101 5830911 5776967 DE 19/753463 WO 98/21195 WO 98/16227 U.S. Pat. No. 5733909 WO 98/05639 WO 97/44028 WO 97/44027 WO 97/40012 WO 97/38986 U.S. Pat. No. WO 97/34882 WO 97/16435 5677318 WO 97/03678 WO 97/03667 WO 96/36623 WO 96/31509 WO 96/25928 WO 96/06840 WO 96/21667 WO 96/19469 U.S. Pat. No. WO 96/09304 GB 22/83745 WO 96/03392 5510368 WO 94/25431 WO 94/20480 WO 94/13635 JP 09052882 GB 22/94879 WO 95/15316 WO 95/15315 WO 96/03388 WO 96/24585 U.S. Pat. No. WO 95/00501 U.S. Pat. No. 5344991 5968974 U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 5945539 5994381

Three classes of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are reviewed by J. Carter in Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents, 8(1), 21-29 (1997): methanesulfonanilides, tricyclics and structurally modified non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Methanesulfonanilides are a class of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, of which NS-398, flosulide and nimesulide are example members.

A preferred class of tricyclic cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors comprises compounds of formula (1)

-   -   wherein A is a substituent selected from partially unsaturated         or unsaturated heterocyclyl and partially unsaturated or         unsaturated carbocyclic rings;     -   wherein n is 0 or 1;     -   wherein X is O or S;     -   wherein R¹ is at least one substituent selected from         heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl, wherein R¹ is         optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or         more radicals selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxyl,         alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino,         alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo,         alkoxy and alkylthio;     -   wherein R² is methyl, amino or aminocarbonylalkyl; and     -   wherein R³ is one or more radicals selected from hydrido, halo,         alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, oxo, cyano, carboxyl, cyanoalkyl,         heterocyclyloxy, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkyl,         aryl, haloalkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkenyl, aralkyl,         heterocyclylalkyl, acyl, alkylthioalkyl, hydroxyalkyl,         alkoxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, aralkenyl,         alkoxyalkyl, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aralkylthioalkyl,         aralkoxyalkyl, alkoxyaralkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl,         aminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl,         N-arylaminocarbonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminocarbonyl,         alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkylamino, N-arylamino,         N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino,         aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl,         N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-aralkylaminoalkyl,         N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, aryloxy, aralkoxy, arylthio,         aralkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl,         alkylaminosulfonyl, N-arylaminosulfonyl, arylsulfonyl and         N-alkyl-N-arylaminosulfonyl, wherein R³ is optionally         substituted at a substitutable position with one or more         radicals selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxyl,         alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino,         alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo,         alkoxy and alkylthio; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt         thereof.

Preferred COX-2 inhibitors are tricyclic COX-2 inhibitors wherein the A ring is selected from the heterocyclyl groups of pyrazolyl, furanonyl, isoxazolyl, pyridinyl and pyridazinonyl.

More preferred COX-2 inhibitors that may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to:

-   JTE-522,     4-(4-cyclohexyl-2-methyloxazol-5-yl)-2-fluorobenzenesulfonamide; -   5-chloro-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(2-methyl-5-pyridinyl)pyridine; -   2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-cyclopenten-1-one; -   celecoxib,     4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-benzenesulfonamide; -   rofecoxib, 4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-2(5H)-furanone; -   valdecoxib, 4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)benzenesulfonamide; -   parecoxib,     N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide; -   4-[5-(4-chorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1-dioxido-6-phenoxy-1,2-benzisothiazol-5-yl)methanesulfonamide; -   6-[[5-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]methyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone; -   N-(4-nitro-2-phenoxyphenyl)methanesulfonamide; -   3-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-5,5-dimethyl-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2     (5H)-furanone; -   N-[6-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)thio]-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl]methanesulfonamide; -   3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2 (3H)-oxazolone; -   4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; -   3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one; -   4-(2-methyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolyl)benzenesulfonamide; -   3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2(3H)-oxazolone; -   5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole; -   4-(5-phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; -   4-[1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   NS-398, N-[2-(cyclohexyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide; -   N-[6-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl]methanesulfonamide; -   3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-4-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide; -   3-(4-fluorophenoxy)-4-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide; -   3-[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)thio]-4     [(methylsulfonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide; -   5,5-dimethyl-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-phenoxy-2(5H)-furanone; -   N-[6-[(4-ethyl-2-thiazolyl)thio)-1,3-dihydro-1-oxo-5-isobenzofuranyl]methanesulfonamide; -   3-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)thio]-4-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide; -   1-fluoro-4-[2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]cyclopenten-1-yl]benzene; -   4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; -   4-[2-(3-pyridinyll)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   4-[5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; -   4-[5-(difluoromethyl)-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   [1,1′:2′,1″-terphenyl]-4-sulfonamide; -   4-(methylsulfonyl)-1,1′,2],1″-terphenyl; -   4-(2-phenyl-3-pyridinyl)benzenesulfonamide; -   N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1-dioxido-6-phenoxy-1,2-benzisothiazol-5-yl)methanesulfonamide;     and -   N-[3-(formylamino)-4-oxo-6-phenoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-7-yl]methanesulfonamide; -   4-[4-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   4-[2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   deracoxib,     4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; -   MK-663, etoricoxib,     5-chloro-6′-methyl-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2,3′-bipyridine; -   DuP 697,     5-bromo-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]thiophene; -   ABT-963,     2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone; -   6-nitro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; -   6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S)-6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   2-trifluoromethyl-2H-naphtho[2,3-b]pyran-3-carboxylic acid; -   6-chloro-7-(4-nitrophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid, ethyl ester; -   6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-phenyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   6-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   2-(trifluoromethyl)-6-[(trifluoromethyl)thio]-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid, sodium salt; -   6,8-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxamide; -   6,7-difluoro-1,2-dihydro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic     acid; -   6-chloro-1,2-dihydro-1-methyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic     acid; -   6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-dihydro[1,8]naphthyridine-3-carboxylic     acid; -   6,8-dichloro-7-methyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic     acid, ethyl ester; -   (2S)-6-chloro-1,2-dihydro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic     acid.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the cyclooxygenase inhibitor can be selected from the class of phenylacetic acid derivative cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors represented by the general structure of Formula V:

wherein R¹⁶ is methyl or ethyl;

-   -   R¹⁷ is chloro or fluoro;     -   R¹ is hydrogen or fluoro     -   R¹⁹ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy         or hydroxy;     -   R²⁰ is hydrogen or fluoro; and

R²¹ is chloro, fluoro, trifluoromethyl or methyl, provided that R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are not all fluoro when R¹⁶ is ethyl and R¹⁹ is H.

A particularly preferred phenylacetic acid derivative cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor that is described in WO 99/11605 is a compound that has the designation of COX189 (CAS RN 346670-74-4), and that has the structure shown in Formula V,

-   -   wherein R¹⁶ is ethyl;     -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁹ are chloro;     -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are hydrogen; and     -   and R²¹ is methyl.

Other preferred cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors that can be used in the present invention have the general structure shown in formula VI, where the J group is a carbocycle or a heterocycle. Particularly preferred embodiments have the structure:

where:

-   X is O; J is 1-phenyl; R₂₁ is 2-NHSO₂CH₃; R₂₂ is 4-NO₂; and there is     no R₂₃ group, (nimesulide), and -   X is O; J is 1-oxo-inden-5-yl; R₂, is 2-F; R₂₂ is 4-F; and R₂₃ is     6-NHSO₂CH₃, (flosulide); and -   X is O; J is cyclohexyl; R₂₁ is 2-NHSO₂CH₃; R₂₂ is 5-NO₂; and there     is no R₂₃ group, (NS-398); and -   X is S; J is 1-oxo-inden-5-yl; R₂₁ is 2-F; R₂₂ is 4-F; and R₂₃ is     6-N⁻SO₂CH₃.Na⁺, (L-745337); and -   X is S; J is thiophen-2-yl; R₂₁ is 4-F; there is no R₂₂ group; and     R₂₃ is 5-NHSO₂CH₃, (RWJ-63556); and -   X is O; J is     2-oxo-5(R)-methyl-5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)furan-(5H)-3-yl; R₂, is     3-F; R₂₂ is 4-F; and R₂₃ is 4-(p-SO₂CH₃)C₆H₄, (L-784512).

Further information on the applications of N-(2-cyclohexyloxynitrophenyl)methane sulfonamide (NS-398, CAS RN 123653-11-2), having a structure as shown in formula B-26, have been described by, for example, Yoshimi, N. et al., in Japanese J. Cancer Res., 90(4): 406-412 (1999); Falgueyret, J.-P. et al., in Science Spectra, available at: http://www.gbhap.com/Science_Spectra/20-1-article.htm

(Jun. 6, 2001); and Iwata, K. et al., in Jpn. J. Pharmacol., 75(2): 191-194 (1997).

An evaluation of the antiinflammatory activity of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, RWJ 63556, in a canine model of inflammation, was described by Kirchner et al., in J Pharmacol Exp Ther 282, 1094-1101 (1997).

Other compounds useful as the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor in the present invention include diarylmethylidenefuran derivatives such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,651. Such diarylmethylidenefuran derivatives have the general formula shown below in formula VII:

wherein:

-   the rings T and M independently are:     -   a phenyl radical,     -   a naphthyl radical,     -   a radical derived from a heterocycle comprising 5 to 6 members         and possessing from 1 to 4 heteroatoms, or     -   a radical derived from a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from         3 to 7 carbon atoms; -   at least one of the substituents Q₁, Q₂, L₁ or L₂ is:     -   an —S(O)_(n)—R group, in which n is an integer equal to 0, 1 or         2 and R is a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a         lower haloalkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or     -   an —SO₂NH₂ group;     -   and is located in the para position, -   the others independently being:     -   a hydrogen atom,     -   a halogen atom,     -   a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,     -   a trifluoromethyl radical, or     -   a lower O-alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or -   Q₁ and Q₂ or L₁ and L₂ are a methylenedioxy group; and -   R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆ and R₂₇ independently are:     -   a hydrogen atom,     -   a halogen atom,     -   a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,     -   a lower haloalkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or     -   an aromatic radical selected from the group consisting of         phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, furyl and pyridyl; or, -   R₂₄, R₂₅ or R₂₆, R₂₇ are an oxygen atom, or -   R₂₄, R₂₅ or R₂₆, R₂₇, together with the carbon atom to which they     are attached, form a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7     carbon atoms; -   or an isomer or prodrug thereof.

Particular materials that are included in this family of compounds, and which can serve as the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor in the present invention, include N-(2-cyclohexyloxynitrophenyl)methane sulfonamide, and (E)-4-[(4-methylphenyl)(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furanylidene) methyl] benzenesulfonamide.

Preferred cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors that are useful in the present invention include the following individual compounds; darbufelone (Pfizer), CS-502 (Sankyo), LAS 34475 (Almirall Profesfarma), LAS 34555 (Almirall Profesfarma), S-33516 (Servier), SD 8381 (Pharmacia, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,256), BMS-347070 (Bristol Myers Squibb, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,651), MK-966 (Merck), L-783003 (Merck), T-614 (Toyama), D-1367 (Chiroscience), L-748731 (Merck), CT3 (Atlantic Pharmaceutical), CGP-28238 (Novartis), BF-389 (Biofor/Scherer), GR-253035 (Glaxo Wellcome), 6-dioxo-9H-purin-8-yl-cinnamic acid (Glaxo Wellcome), and S-2474 (Shionogi).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound BMS-347070 having the formula:

Information about S-33516, mentioned above, can be found in Current Drugs Headline News, at http://www.current-drugs.com/NEWS/Inflaml.htm, Oct. 4, 2001, where it was reported that S-33516 is a tetrahydroisoinde derivative which has IC₅₀ values of 0.1 and 0.001 mM against cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, respectively. In human whole blood, S-33516 was reported to have an ED₅₀=0.39 mg/kg.

The CAS reference numbers for nonlimiting examples of COX-2 inhibitors are identified in Table 3 below. TABLE NO. 3 COX-2 Inhibitors Compound Number CAS Reference Number C1 180200-68-4 C2 202409-33-4 C3 212126-32-4 C4 169590-42-5 C5 162011-90-7 C6 181695-72-7 C7 198470-84-7 C8 170569-86-5 C9 187845-71-2 C10 179382-91-3 C11 51803-78-2 C12 189954-13-0 C13 158205-05-1 C14 197239-99-9 C15 197240-09-8 C16 226703-01-1 C17 93014-16-5 C18 197239-97-7 C19 162054-19-5 C20 170569-87-6 C21 279221-13-5 C22 170572-13-1 C23 123653-11-2 C24 80937-31-1 C25 279221-14-6 C26 279221-15-7 C27 187846-16-8 C28 189954-16-3 C29 181485-41-6 C30 187845-80-3 C31 158959-32-1 C32 170570-29-3 C33 177660-77-4 C34 177660-95-6 C35 181695-81-8 C36 197240-14-5 C37 181696-33-3 C38 178816-94-9 C39 178816-61-0 C40 279221-17-9 C41 187845-71-2 C42 123663-49-0 C43 197905-01-4 C44 197904-84-0 C45 169590-41-4 C46 202409-33-4 C47 88149-94-4 C48 266320-83-6 C49 215122-43-3 C50 215122-44-4 C51 215122-74-0 C52 215123-80-1 C53 215122-70-6 C54 264878-87-7 C55 279221-12-4 C56 215123-48-1 C57 215123-03-8 C58 215123-60-7 C59 279221-18-0 C60 215123-61-8 C61 215123-52-7 C62 279221-19-1 C63 215123-64-1 C64 215123-70-9 C65 215123-79-8 C66 215123-91-4 C67 215123-77-6

More preferably, the COX-2 inhibitors that may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to celecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib, rofecoxib, NS-398, deracoxib, Merck MK-663 and ABT-963.

Various classes of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors can be prepared as follows. Pyrazoles can be prepared by methods described in WO 95/15316. Pyrazoles can further be prepared by methods described in WO 95/15315. Pyrazoles can also be prepared by methods described in WO 96/03385. Thiophene analogs can be prepared by methods described in WO 95/00501. Preparation of thiophene analogs is also described in WO 94/15932. Oxazoles can be prepared by the methods described in WO 95/00501. Preparation of oxazoles is also described in WO 94/27980. Isoxazoles can be prepared by the methods described in WO 96/25405. Imidazoles can be prepared by the methods described in WO 96/03388. Preparation of imidazoles is also described in WO 96/03387. Cyclopentene cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors can be prepared by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,991. Preparation of cyclopentene COX-2 inhibitors is also described in WO 95/00501. Terphenyl compounds can be prepared by the methods described in WO 96/16934. Thiazole compounds can be prepared by the methods described in WO 96/03,392. Pyridine compounds can be prepared by the methods described in WO 96/03392. Preparation of pyridine compounds is also described in WO 96/24,585. Benzopyranopyrazolyl compounds can be prepared by the methods described in WO 96/09304. Benzopyran compounds can be prepared by the methods described in WO 98/47890. Preparation of benzopyran compounds is also described in WO 00/23433. Benzopyran compounds can further be prepared by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,850. Preparation of benzopyran compounds is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,256. Arylpyridazinones can be prepared by the methods described in WO 00/24719.

The celecoxib used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,823.

The valdecoxib used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,272.

The parecoxib used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,598.

The rofecoxib used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,995.

The deracoxib used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,207.

The compound MK-663 used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in WO 98/03484.

The compound NS-398 used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,367.

The compound ABT-963 used in the therapeutic combinations of the present invention can be prepared in the manner set forth in WO 00/24719.

The estrogen sex steroid is preferably selected from, but is not limited to, the group consisting of ethinyl estradiol, 17β-estradiol and mestranol.

Still more preferably the estrogen sex steroid is ethinyl estradiol.

The progestin sex steroid is preferably selected from, but is not limited to, the group consisting of levonorgestrel, norethindrone acetate, norgestimate, ethynodiol acetate, desogestrel, norgestrel, gestodene, 3-ketodesogestrel, Org 30659, dienogest, trimegestone and norethindrone.

More preferably the progestin sex steroid is selected from the group consisting of levonorgestrel, norethindrone acetate, norgestimate, ethynodiol acetate, desogestrel, norgestrel and norethindrone.

Even more preferably, the progestin sex steroid is selected from the group consisting of levonorgestrel, norethindrone acetate and norgestimate.

The structures and CAS registry numbers of preferred estrogen and progestin sex steroids are listed in Table No. 4 below. TABLE NO. 4 Sex Steroid Structures CAS Registry Name Number Structure Ethinyl estradiol 57-63-6

17β-Estradiol 50-28-2

Mestranol 72-33-3

Levonorgestrel 797-63-7

Norethindrone acetate 51-98-9

Norgestimate 35189-28-7

Ethynodiol diacetate 297-76-7

Desogestrel 54024-22-5

Norgestrel 6533-00-2

Norethindrone 68-22-4

3-Ketodesogestrel 54048-10-1

Gestodene 60282-87-3

Org 30659 110072-15-6

Trimegestone 74513-62-5

Dienogest 65928-58-7

The following references listed in Table No. 5 below, hereby individually incorporated by reference, describe various sex steroids suitable for use in the present invention described herein, and processes for their manufacture. TABLE NO. 5 Sex Steroid References Sex Steroid Reference Ethinyl estradiol U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,961 17β-Estradiol U.S. Pat. No. 3,274,182 Mestranol U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,961 Levonorgestrel U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,961 Norethindrone acetate U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,371 Norgestimate U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,019 Ethynodiol diacetate U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,384 Desogestrel U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,046 Norgestrel U.S. Pat. No. 3,892,779 Norethindrone U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,384 3-Ketodesogestrel U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,529 Gestodene U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,537 Org 30659 U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,913 Trimegestone U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,771 Dienogest U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,517

The compounds useful in the present invention can have no asymmetric carbon atoms, or, alternatively, the useful compounds can have one or more asymmetric carbon atoms. When the useful compounds have one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, they therefore include racemates and stereoisomers, such as diastereomers and enantiomers, in both pure form and in admixture. Such stereoisomers can be prepared using conventional techniques, either by reacting enantiomeric starting materials, or by separating isomers of compounds of the present invention.

Isomers may include geometric isomers, for example cis-isomers or trans-isomers across a double bond. All such isomers are contemplated among the compounds useful in the present invention.

The compounds useful in the present invention also include tautomers.

The compounds useful in the present invention also include their salts, solvates and prodrugs.

Dosages, Formulations and Routes of Administration

For the prophylaxis or treatment of the conditions referred to above, the compounds useful in the combinations and methods of the present invention can be used as the compound per se. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are particularly suitable for medical applications because of their greater aqueous solubility relative to the parent compound. Such salts must clearly have a pharmaceutically acceptable anion or cation. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of the compounds of the present invention when possible include those derived from inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, metaphosphoric, nitric, sulfonic, and sulfuric acids, and organic acids such as formic, acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, gluconic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, glucuronic, maleic, fumaric, pyruvic, aspartic, glutamic, benzoic, anthranilic, mesylic, stearic, salicylic, p-hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, mandelic, embonic (pamoic), methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, pantothenic, toluenesulfonic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic, sulfanilic, cyclohexylaminosulfonic, algenic, b-hydroxybutyric, galactaric and galacturonic acids.

Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salts of compounds of the present invention include metallic ion salts and organic ion salts. More preferred metallic ion salts include, but are not limited to appropriate alkali metal (group Ia) salts, alkaline earth metal (group IIa) salts and other physiological acceptable metal ions. Such salts can be made from the ions of aluminum, calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc. Preferred organic salts can be made from tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium salts, including in part, trimethylamine, diethylamine, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumine (N-methylglucamine) and procaine. All of the above salts can be prepared by those skilled in the art by conventional means from the corresponding compound of the present invention.

The compounds useful in the present invention can be presented with an acceptable carrier in the form of a pharmaceutical composition. The carrier must, of course, be acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the composition and must not be deleterious to the recipient. The carrier can be a solid or a liquid, or both, and is preferably formulated with the compound as a unit-dose composition, for example, a tablet, which can contain from 0.05% to 95% by weight of the active compound. Other pharmacologically active substances can also be present, including other compounds of the present invention. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be prepared by any of the well-known techniques of pharmacy, consisting essentially of admixing the components.

Optionally, the combination of the present invention can comprise a composition comprising a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting compound and a sex steroid compound. In such a composition, the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting compound and the sex steroid can be present in a single dosage form, for example a pill, a capsule, or a liquid that contains both of the compounds.

These compounds can be administered by any conventional means available for use in conjunction with pharmaceuticals, either as individual therapeutic compounds or as a combination of therapeutic compounds.

The amount of compound which is required to achieve the desired biological effect will, of course, depend on a number of factors such as the specific compound chosen, the use for which it is intended, the mode of administration, and the clinical condition of the recipient.

Dosages

Dosage levels of COX-2 inhibitors on the order of about 0.1 mg to about 10,000 mg of the active ingredient compound are useful in the treatment of the above conditions, with preferred levels of about 1.0 mg to about 1,000 mg and even more preferred levels of about 5 mg to about 500 mg. The amount of active ingredient will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration.

It is understood, however, that a specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, and the severity of the particular disease being treated and form of administration.

Treatment dosages generally may be titrated to optimize safety and efficacy. Typically, dosage-effect relationships from in vitro initially can provide useful guidance on the proper doses for patient administration. Studies in animal models also generally may be used for guidance regarding effective dosages for treatment of cancers in accordance with the present invention. In terms of treatment protocols, it should be appreciated that the dosage to be administered will depend on several factors, including the particular agent that is administered, the route administered, the condition of the particular patient, etc. Generally speaking, one will desire to administer an amount of the compound that is effective to achieve a serum level commensurate with the concentrations found to be effective in vitro. Thus, where a compound is found to demonstrate in vitro activity at, e.g., 10 μM, one will desire to administer an amount of the drug that is effective to provide about a 10 μM concentration in vivo. Determination of these parameters is well within the skill of the art. These considerations, as well as effective formulations and administration procedures are well known in the art and are described in standard textbooks.

An estrogen sex steroid at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to about 5-75 ug ethinyl estradiol is useful in the treatment of the above conditions, with preferred levels of about 10 ug to about 50 ug and even more preferred levels of about 15 ug to about 35 ug. Actual dosage levels for other estrogen sex steroids may vary relative to the levels listed for ethinyl estradiol. A progestin sex steroid at a daily dosage equivalent in progestinic activity to about 10-600 ug levonorgestrel is useful in the treatment of the above conditions, with preferred levels of about 25 ug to about 400 ug and even more preferred levels of about 50 ug to about 200 ug. Actual dosage levels for other progestin sex steroids may vary relative to the levels listed for levonorgestrel.

The compounds of the present invention can be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition. Such a composition can then be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation-spray, rectally, or topically in dosage unit formulations containing conventional nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, and vehicles as desired. Formulation of drugs is discussed in, for example, Hoover, John E., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. 1975. Another discussion of drug formulations can be found in Liberman, H. A. and Lachman, L., Eds., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Decker, New York, N.Y., 1980.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration can include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the compounds of this invention are ordinarily combined with one or more adjuvants appropriate to the indicated route of administration. If administered per os, a contemplated inhibitor compound can be admixed with lactose, sucrose, starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkyl esters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or polyvinyl alcohol, and then tableted or encapsulated for convenient administration. Such capsules or tablets can contain a controlled-release formulation as can be provided in a dispersion of active compound in hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets, and pills, the dosage forms can also comprise buffering agents such as sodium citrate, magnesium or calcium carbonate or bicarbonate. Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration can include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water. Such compositions can also comprise adjuvants, such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, and sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intrasternal injection, or infusion techniques. Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions can be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation can also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that can be employed are water, Ringer's solution, and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables. Dimethyl acetamide, surfactants including ionic and non-ionic detergents, polyethylene glycols can be used. Mixtures of solvents and wetting agents such as those discussed above are also useful.

For therapeutic purposes, formulations for parenteral administration can be in the form of aqueous or non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions or suspensions. These solutions and suspensions can be prepared from sterile powders or granules having one or more of the carriers or diluents mentioned for use in the formulations for oral administration. A contemplated therapeutic compound can be dissolved in water, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride, and/or various buffers. Other adjuvants and modes of administration are well and widely known in the pharmaceutical art.

Suppositories for rectal administration of the drug can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable nonirritating excipient such as cocoa butter, synthetic mono- di- or triglycerides, fatty acids and polyethylene glycols that are solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum and release the drug.

Topical administration can also involve the use of transdermal administration such as transdermal patches or iontophoresis devices.

The amount of active ingredient that can be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form varies depending upon the mammalian host treated and the particular mode of administration.

Treatment Regimen

The dosage regimen to prevent, give relief from, or ameliorate a disease condition having dysmenorrhea as an element of the disease or to protect against or treat a further dysmenorrhea related disorder with the compounds and/or compositions of the present invention is selected in accordance with a variety of factors. These include the type, age, weight, diet, and medical condition of the patient, the severity of the disease, the route of administration, pharmacological considerations such as the activity, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and toxicology profiles of the particular compound employed, whether a drug delivery system is utilized, and whether the compound is administered as part of a drug combination. Thus, the dosage regimen actually employed may vary widely and therefore deviate from the preferred dosage regimen set forth above.

In order to create a reproducible time of menses, specific combinations of daily administration of orally active sex steroids will be used to pharmacologically regulate the onset of menses within a small (24-48 hour) window of time. These steroids will include an estrogenic component and a progestagenic component with the effects of the latter predominating. The use of such a regimen should also result in less growth of the endometrial lining resulting in a reduced blood loss at the time of menses.

The use of daily orally active sex steroids to regulate endometrial growth will upon their discontinuation result in menses within 48-72 hours. The addition of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, such as celecoxib, starting 24 hours following discontinuation of the sex steroids will synchronize events such that the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor will be reproducibly administered at the time of initiation of increased prostaglandin synthesis triggered by the withdrawal of the steroid hormones. The cyclooxgenase-2 inhibitor can be administered until the end of menses with a variety of regimens. For example, the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor can be administered daily (od), twice a day (bid) or three times a day (tid). Thus the invention refers to the sequential administration of daily orally active sex steroids followed by a selective COX-2 inhibitor. This would be administered in a regular schedule (every 28 days) with the sex steroids being administered for 21 days followed by 2-7 days of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor. More preferably, the sex steroids would be administered for 21 days followed by 4-7 days of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor.

Patients undergoing treatment with the compounds or compositions disclosed herein can be routinely monitored to determine the effectiveness of the combination therapy. Continuous analysis of such data permits modification of the treatment regimen during therapy so that optimal effective amounts of each type of therapeutic compound are administered at any point in time, and so that the duration of treatment can be determined as well. In this way, the treatment regimen/dosing schedule can be rationally modified over the course of therapy so that the lowest amount of the therapeutic compounds which together exhibit satisfactory effectiveness is administered, and so that administration is continued only so long as is necessary to successfully treat the dysmenorrhea related condition.

A potential advantage of the combination therapy disclosed herein may be reduced dosage amount of any individual therapeutic compound, or all therapeutic compounds, effective in treating dysmenorrhea related conditions. The dosage lowering will provide advantages including reduction of side effects of the individual therapeutic compounds when compared to the monotherapy.

One of the several embodiments of the present invention provides a combination therapy comprising the use of a first amount of a COX-2 inhibitor and a second amount of sex steroids useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of dysmenorrhea, wherein said first and second amounts together comprise an dysmenorrhea-effective amount of said compounds. For example one of the many embodiments of the present invention is a combination therapy regimen comprising therapeutic dosages of a pyrazole COX-2 inhibitor, ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

The following non-limiting examples serve to illustrate various aspects of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Table 6 illustrates examples of some combinations of the present invention wherein the combination comprises a first amount of a COX-2 inhibitor source, a second amount of a estrogen sex steroid and a third amount of a progestin sex steroid wherein the amounts together comprise an dysmenorrhea-effective amount of the compounds. TABLE NO. 6 Combination Examples Example COX-2 Number Inhibitor Estrogen Sex Steroid Progestin Sex Steroid 1 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 2 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 3 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 4 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 5 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 6 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 7 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 8 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 9 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 10 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 11 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 12 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 13 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 14 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 15 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 16 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 17 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 18 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 19 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 20 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 21 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 22 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 23 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 24 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 25 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 26 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 27 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 28 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 29 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 30 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 31 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 32 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 33 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 34 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 35 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 36 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 37 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 38 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 39 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 40 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 41 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 42 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 43 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 44 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 45 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 46 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 47 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 48 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 49 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 50 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 51 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 52 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 53 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 54 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 55 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 56 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 57 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 58 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 59 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 60 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 61 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 62 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 63 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 64 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 65 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 66 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 67 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Levonorgestrel 68 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 69 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 70 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 71 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 72 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 73 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 74 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 75 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 76 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 77 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 78 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 79 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 80 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 81 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 82 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 83 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 84 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 85 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 86 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 87 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 88 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 89 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 90 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 91 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 92 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 93 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 94 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 95 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 96 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 97 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 98 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 99 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 100 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 101 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 102 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 103 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 104 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 105 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 106 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 107 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 108 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 109 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 110 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 111 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 112 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 113 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 114 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 115 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 116 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 117 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 118 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 119 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 120 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 121 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 122 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 123 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 124 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 125 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 126 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 127 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 128 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 129 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 130 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 131 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 132 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 133 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 134 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone acetate 135 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 136 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 137 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 138 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 139 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 140 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 141 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 142 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 143 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 144 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 145 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 146 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 147 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 148 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 149 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 150 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 151 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 152 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 153 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 154 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 155 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 156 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 157 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 158 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 159 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 160 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 161 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 162 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 163 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 164 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 165 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 166 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 167 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 168 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 169 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 170 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 171 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 172 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 173 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 174 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 175 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 176 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 177 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 178 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 179 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 180 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 181 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 182 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 183 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 184 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 185 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 186 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 187 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 188 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 189 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 190 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 191 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 192 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 193 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 194 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 195 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 196 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 197 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 198 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 199 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 200 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 201 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestimate 202 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 203 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 204 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 205 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 206 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 207 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 208 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 209 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 210 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 211 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 212 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 213 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 214 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 215 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 216 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 217 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 218 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 219 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 220 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 221 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 222 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 223 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 224 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 225 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 226 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 227 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 228 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 229 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 230 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 231 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 232 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 233 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 234 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 235 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 236 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 237 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 238 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 239 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 240 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 241 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 242 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 243 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 244 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 245 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 246 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 247 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 248 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 249 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 250 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 251 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 252 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 253 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 254 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 255 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 256 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 257 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 258 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 259 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 260 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 261 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 262 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 263 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 264 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 265 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 266 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 267 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 268 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Ethynodiol diacetate 269 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 270 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 271 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 272 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 273 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 274 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 275 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 276 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 277 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 278 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 279 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 280 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 281 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 282 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 283 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 284 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 285 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 286 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 287 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 288 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 289 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 290 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 291 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 292 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 293 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 294 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 295 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 296 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 297 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 298 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 299 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 300 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 301 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 302 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 303 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 304 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 305 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 306 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 307 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 308 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 309 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 310 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 311 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 312 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 313 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 314 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 315 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 316 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 317 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 318 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 319 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 320 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 321 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 322 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 323 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 324 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 325 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 326 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 327 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 328 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 329 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 330 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 331 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 332 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 333 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 334 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 335 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Desogestrel 336 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 337 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 338 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 339 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 340 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 341 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 342 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 343 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 344 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 345 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 346 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 347 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 348 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 349 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 350 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 351 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 352 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 353 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 354 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 355 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 356 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 357 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 358 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 359 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 360 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 361 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 362 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 363 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 364 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 365 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 366 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 367 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 368 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 369 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 370 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 371 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 372 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 373 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 374 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 375 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 376 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 377 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 378 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 379 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 380 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 381 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 382 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 383 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 384 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 385 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 386 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 387 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 388 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 389 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 390 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 391 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 392 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 393 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 394 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 395 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 396 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 397 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 398 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 399 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 400 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 401 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 402 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Norgestrel 403 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 404 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 405 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 406 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 407 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 408 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 409 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 410 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 411 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 412 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 413 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 414 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 415 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 416 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 417 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 418 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 419 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 420 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 421 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 422 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 423 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 424 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 425 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 426 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 427 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 428 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 429 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 430 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 431 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 432 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 433 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 434 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 435 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 436 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 437 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 438 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 439 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 440 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 441 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 442 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 443 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 444 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 445 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 446 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 447 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 448 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 449 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 450 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 451 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 452 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 453 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 454 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 455 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 456 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 457 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 458 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 459 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 460 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 461 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 462 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 463 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 464 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 465 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 466 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 467 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 468 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 469 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Norethindrone 470 C1 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 471 C2 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 472 C3 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 473 C4 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 474 C5 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 475 C6 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 476 C7 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 477 C8 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 478 C9 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 479 C10 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 480 C11 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 481 C12 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 482 C13 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 483 C14 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 484 C15 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 485 C16 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 486 C17 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 487 C18 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 488 C19 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 489 C20 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 490 C21 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 491 C22 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 492 C23 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 493 C24 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 494 C25 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 495 C26 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 496 C27 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 497 C28 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 498 C29 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 499 C30 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 500 C31 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 501 C32 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 502 C33 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 503 C34 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 504 C35 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 505 C36 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 506 C37 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 507 C38 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 508 C39 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 509 C40 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 510 C41 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 511 C42 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 512 C43 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 513 C44 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 514 C45 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 515 C46 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 516 C47 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 517 C48 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 518 C49 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 519 C50 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 520 C51 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 521 C52 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 522 C53 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 523 C54 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 524 C55 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 525 C56 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 526 C57 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 527 C58 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 528 C59 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 529 C60 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 530 C61 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 531 C62 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 532 C63 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 533 C64 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 534 C65 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 535 C66 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 536 C67 Ethinyl estradiol 3-Ketodesogestrel 537 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 538 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 539 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 540 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 541 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 542 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 543 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 544 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 545 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 546 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 547 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 548 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 549 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 550 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 551 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 552 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 553 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 554 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 555 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 556 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 557 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 558 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 559 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 560 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 561 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 562 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 563 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 564 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 565 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 566 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 567 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 568 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 569 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 570 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 571 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 572 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 573 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 574 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 575 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 576 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 577 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 578 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 579 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 580 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 581 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 582 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 583 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 584 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 585 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 586 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 587 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 588 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 589 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 590 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 591 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 592 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 593 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 594 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 595 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 596 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 597 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 598 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 599 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 600 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 601 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 602 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 603 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Gestodene 604 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 605 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 606 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 607 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 608 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 609 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 610 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 611 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 612 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 613 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 614 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 615 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 616 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 617 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 618 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 619 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 620 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 621 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 622 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 623 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 624 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 625 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 626 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 627 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 628 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 629 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 630 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 631 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 632 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 633 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 634 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 635 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 636 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 637 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 638 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 639 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 640 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 641 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 642 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 643 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 644 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 645 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 646 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 647 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 648 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 649 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 650 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 651 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 652 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 653 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 654 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 655 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 656 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 657 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 658 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 659 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 660 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 661 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 662 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 663 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 664 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 665 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 666 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 667 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 668 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 669 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 670 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Org 30659 671 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Trimagestone 672 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 673 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 674 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 675 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 676 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 677 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 678 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 679 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 680 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 681 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 682 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 683 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 684 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 685 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 686 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 687 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 688 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 689 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 690 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 691 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 692 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 693 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 694 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 695 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 696 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 697 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 698 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 699 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 700 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 701 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 702 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 703 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 704 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 705 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 706 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 707 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 708 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 709 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 710 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 711 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 712 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 713 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 714 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 715 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 716 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 717 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 718 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 719 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 720 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 721 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 722 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 723 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 724 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 725 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 726 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 727 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 728 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 729 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 730 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 731 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 732 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 733 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 734 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 735 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 736 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 737 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Trimegestone 738 C1 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 739 C2 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 740 C3 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 741 C4 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 742 C5 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 743 C6 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 744 C7 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 745 C8 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 746 C9 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 747 C10 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 748 C11 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 749 C12 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 750 C13 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 751 C14 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 752 C15 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 753 C16 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 754 C17 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 755 C18 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 756 C19 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 757 C20 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 758 C21 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 759 C22 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 760 C23 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 761 C24 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 762 C25 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 763 C26 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 764 C27 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 765 C28 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 766 C29 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 767 C30 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 768 C31 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 769 C32 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 770 C33 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 771 C34 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 772 C35 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 773 C36 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 774 C37 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 775 C38 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 776 C39 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 777 C40 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 778 C41 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 779 C42 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 780 C43 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 781 C44 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 782 C45 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 783 C46 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 784 C47 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 785 C48 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 786 C49 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 787 C50 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 788 C51 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 789 C52 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 790 C53 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 791 C54 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 792 C55 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 793 C56 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 794 C57 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 795 C58 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 796 C59 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 797 C60 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 798 C61 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 799 C62 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 800 C63 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 801 C64 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 802 C65 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 803 C66 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest 804 C67 Ethinyl estradiol Dienogest

Biological Assays

The utility of the combinations of the present invention can be shown by the following assays. These assays are performed in vitro and in animal models essentially using procedures recognized to show the utility of the present invention.

Rat Carrageenan Foot Pad Edema Test

The carrageenan foot edema test is performed with materials, reagents and procedures essentially as described by Winter, et al., (Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 111, 544 (1962)). Male Sprague-Dawley rats are selected in each group so that the average body weight is as close as possible. Rats are fasted with free access to water for over sixteen hours prior to the test. The rats are dosed orally (1 mL) with compounds suspended in vehicle containing 0.5% methylcellulose and 0.025% surfactant, or with vehicle alone. One hour later a subplantar injection of 0.1 mL of 1% solution of carrageenan/sterile 0.9% saline is administered and the volume of the injected foot is measured with a displacement plethysmometer connected to a pressure transducer with a digital indicator. Three hours after the injection of the carrageenan, the volume of the foot is again measured. The average foot swelling in a group of drug-treated animals is compared with that of a group of placebo-treated animals and the percentage inhibition of edema is determined (Otterness and Bliven, Laboratory Models for Testing NSAIDS, in Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, (J. Lombardino, ed. 1985)). The % inhibition shows the % decrease from control paw volume determined in this procedure.

Rat Carrageenan-Induced Analgesia Test

The analgesia test using rat carrageenan is performed with materials, reagents and procedures essentially as described by Hargreaves, et al., (Pain, 32, 77 (1988)). Male Sprague-Dawley rats are treated as previously described for the Carrageenan Foot Pad Edema test. Three hours after the injection of the carrageenan, the rats are placed in a special plexiglass container with a transparent floor having a high intensity lamp as a radiant heat source, positionable under the floor. After an initial twenty minute period, thermal stimulation is begun on either the injected foot or on the contralateral uninjected foot. A photoelectric cell turns off the lamp and timer when light is interrupted by paw withdrawal. The time until the rat withdraws its foot is then measured. The withdrawal latency in seconds is determined for the control and drug-treated groups, and percent inhibition of the hyperalgesic foot withdrawal determined.

Evaluation of COX-1 and COX-2 Activity In Vitro

The compounds of this invention exhibit inhibition in vitro of COX-2. The COX-2 inhibition activity of the compounds of this invention illustrated in the Examples is determined by the following methods.

a. Preparation of Recombinant COX Baculoviruses

A 2.0 kb fragment containing the coding region of either human or murine COX-1 or human or murine COX-2 is cloned into a BamH1 site of the baculovirus transfer vector pVL1393 (Invitrogen) to generate the baculovirus transfer vectors for COX-1 and COX-2 in a manner similar to the method of D. R. O'Reilly et al (Baculovirus Expression Vectors: A Laboratory Manual (1992)). Recombinant baculoviruses are isolated by transfecting 4 μg of baculovirus transfer vector DNA into SF9 insect cells (2×10 eB) along with 200 ng of linearized baculovirus plasmid DNA by the calcium phosphate method. See M. D. Summers and G. E. Smith, A Manual of Methods for Baculovirus Vectors and Insect Cell Culture Procedures, Texas Agric. Exp. Station Bull. 1555 (1987). Recombinant viruses are purified by three rounds of plaque purification and high titer (10E7-10E8 pfu/ml) stocks of virus are prepared. For large scale production, SF9 insect cells are infected in 10 liter fermentors (0.5×10⁶/ml) with the recombinant baculovirus stock such that the multiplicity of infection is 0.1. After 72 hours the cells are centrifuged and the cell pellet homogenized in Tris/Sucrose (50 mM: 25%, pH 8.0) containing 1% 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS). The homogenate is centrifuged at 10,000×G for 30 minutes, and the resultant supernatant is stored at −80° C. before being assayed for COX activity.

b. Assay for COX-1 and COX-2 Activity

COX activity is assayed as PGE2 formed/μg protein/time using an ELISA to detect the prostaglandin released. CHAPS-solubilized insect cell membranes containing the appropriate COX enzyme are incubated in a potassium phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 8.0) containing epinephrine, phenol, and heme with the addition of arachidonic acid (10 μM). Compounds are pre-incubated with the enzyme for 10-20 minutes prior to the addition of arachidonic acid. Any reaction between the arachidonic acid and the enzyme is stopped after ten minutes at 37° C./room temperature by transferring 40 μl of reaction mix into 160 μl ELISA buffer and 25 μM indomethacin. The PGE2 formed is measured by standard ELISA technology (Cayman Chemical).

The examples herein can be performed by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

The invention being thus described, it is apparent that the same can be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and equivalents as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A therapeutic combination comprising an amount of a COX-2 inhibitor compound source and an amount of a sex steroid compound wherein the amount of a COX-2 inhibitor compound source and the amount of the sex steroid compound together comprises a dysmenorrhea-effective amount of the compounds.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor source is a COX-2 inhibitor.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor is a tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a pyrazole COX-2 inhibitor, a furanone COX-2 inhibitor, an isoxazole COX-2 inhibitor, a pyridine COX-2 inhibitor, and a pyridazinone COX-2 inhibitor.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is a pyrazole COX-2 inhibitor.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is celecoxib.
 7. The combination of claim 5 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is deracoxib.
 8. The combination of claim 4 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is a furanone COX-2 inhibitor.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is rofecoxib.
 10. The combination of claim 4 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is an isoxazole COX-2 inhibitor.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is valdecoxib.
 12. The combination of claim 4 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is a pyridine COX-2 inhibitor.
 13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is 5-chloro-6′-methyl-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2,3′-bipyridine.
 14. The combination of claim 4 wherein the tricyclic COX-2 inhibitor is a pyridazinone COX-2 inhibitor.
 15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the pyridazinone COX-2 inhibitor is 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone.
 16. The combination of claim 2 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor is a benzopyran COX-2 inhibitor.
 17. The combination of claim 2 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor is a methane sulfonanilide COX-2 inhibitor.
 18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the methane sulfonanilide COX-2 inhibitor is N-(4-nitro-2-cyclohexyloxyphenyl)methanesulfonamide.
 19. The combination of claim 1 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor source is a prodrug of a COX-2 inhibitor.
 20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the prodrug of the COX-2 inhibitor is parecoxib.
 21. The combination of claim 1 wherein the sex steroid compound is a progestin sex steroid.
 22. The combination of claim 1 wherein the sex steroid compound is an estrogen sex steroid.
 23. The combination of claim 22 wherein the sex steroid compound further comprises a progestin sex steroid.
 24. The combination of claim 23 wherein the sex steroid compound comprises an amount of an estrogen sex steroid and an amount of a progestin sex steroid wherein the amount of the estrogen sex steroid and the amount of the progestin sex steroid together comprise a menstrual cycle controlling-effective amount of the compounds.
 25. The combination of claim 24 wherein the estrogen sex steroid is ethinyl estradiol.
 26. The combination of claim 24 wherein the progestin sex steroid is selected from the group consisting of levonorgestrel, norethindrone acetate, norgestimate, ethynodiol acetate, desogestrel, norgestrel and norethindrone.
 27. The combination of claim 26 wherein the progestin sex steroid is levonorgestrel.
 28. The combination of claim 26 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norethindrone acetate.
 29. The combination of claim 26 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norgestimate.
 30. The combination of claim 26 wherein the progestin sex steroid is ethynodiol acetate.
 31. The combination of claim 26 wherein the progestin sex steroid is desogestrel.
 32. The combination of claim 26 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norgestrel.
 33. The combination of claim 26 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norethindrone.
 34. The combination of claim 1 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound source and the sex steroid compound are present in a single composition.
 35. A combination therapy method for the treatment or prophylaxis of dysmenorrhea in a patient in need thereof, comprising: administering to the patient an amount of a COX-2 inhibitor compound source and administering to the patient an amount of a sex steroid compound wherein the amount of the COX-2 inhibitor compound source and the amount of the sex steroid compound together comprise a dysmenorrhea-effective amount of the compounds
 36. The combination therapy method of claim 35 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor source is a COX-2 inhibitor.
 37. The combination therapy method of claim 36 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound is celecoxib.
 38. The combination therapy method of claim 36 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound is rofecoxib.
 39. The combination therapy method of claim 36 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound is valdecoxib.
 40. The combination therapy method of claim 36 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound is deracoxib.
 41. The combination therapy method of claim 36 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound is 5-chloro-6′-methyl-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2,3′-bipyridine.
 42. The combination therapy method of claim 36 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound is N-(4-nitro-2-phenoxyphenyl)methanesulfonamide.
 43. The combination therapy method of claim 36 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor compound is 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone.
 44. The combination therapy method of claim 35 wherein the COX-2 inhibitor source is a prodrug of a COX-2 inhibitor.
 45. The combination therapy method of claim 44 wherein the prodrug of the COX-2 inhibitor is parecoxib.
 46. The combination therapy method of claim 35 wherein the sex steroid compound comprises an amount of an estrogen sex steroid and an amount of a progestin sex steroid wherein the amount of the estrogen sex steroid and the amount of the progestin sex steroid together comprise a menstrual cycle controlling-effective amount of the compounds.
 47. The combination therapy method of claim 46 wherein the estrogen sex steroid is ethinyl estradiol.
 48. The combination therapy method of claim 46 wherein the progestin sex steroid is selected from the group consisting of levonorgestrel, norethindrone acetate, norgestimate, ethynodiol acetate, desogestrel, norgestrel and norethindrone.
 49. The combination therapy method of claim 48 wherein the progestin sex steroid is levonorgestrel.
 50. The combination therapy method of claim 48 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norethindrone acetate.
 51. The combination therapy method of claim 48 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norgestimate.
 52. The combination therapy method of claim 48 wherein the progestin sex steroid is ethynodiol acetate.
 53. The combination therapy method of claim 48 wherein the progestin sex steroid is desogestrel.
 54. The combination therapy method of claim 48 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norgestrel.
 55. The combination therapy method of claim 48 wherein the progestin sex steroid is norethindrone. 